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Roos fined after concussion investigation

North Melbourne has been fined by the AFL for a lack of cooperation in its investigation of Lachie Hansen's concussion.

Joe Castro: AAP Image, file photo.

The AFL has fined North Melbourne $20,000 for a lack of cooperation with an investigation into the way the club handled Lachie Hansen following a head knock.

Key forward Hansen was assisted from the ground in a groggy state and later returned to the field during North's round-20 match against Essendon on August 12 at Docklands.

The league found insufficient evidence to substantiate a breach of its concussion rules over the treatment of Hansen.

"However, the AFL did find that North Melbourne had breached a rule that requires clubs to fully cooperate and to provide all relevant information and evidence to investigators," the AFL said in a statement on Friday.

"The AFL views the failure very seriously and, as a result, the club will be fined $20,000 under Player Rule 1.8 (g) - $10,000 of which is suspended for three years pending any further breaches of relevant rules."

The AFL's football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the conduct of the Kangaroos had been unacceptable.

"It is extremely concerning that North Melbourne failed to fully cooperate at all times with this investigation into a serious matter involving the welfare of one of its players," Anderson said.

North's interim chief executive Cam Vale said the Kangaroos had accepted the fine and apologised to the AFL.

"The club ... should have handled its part in the investigation better," he said.

"We fully support the actions of our doctor and his management of Lachlan Hansen.

"We are satisfied no one involved in the investigation deliberately misled, lied or influenced any witnesses to be untruthful in the statements, evidence or correspondence.

"We will ensure maximum cooperation for any future investigation."

Anderson said further clarity would be provided to club doctors regarding diagnosis and treatment of concussed players.

Clubs are likely to be expected to make greater use of video footage of injuries in their assessment of players' fitness.